'Super Council' Plans Withdrawn

“Everyone knows I believe that the current system of Local Government is unsustainable. Our outline Business Case supports my view that there is a better way to plan and deliver services for local people who pay for them out of their taxes.

"However, I accept that my view is not universally supported. After meeting with District Council Leaders and Chief Executives and after much reflection, I have decided to withdraw the Outline Business Case from Thursday’s County Council meeting.

"We had a productive meeting with Leaders and Chief Executives of District Councils last week and they are willing to work with us on the delivery of local services but we all need more time to consider and discuss the potential options.

"I have listened to all the voices on my own and opposition benches and decided to pause and take more time to reflect.

"Nonetheless there is no simple solution to the significant financial challenges we face and savings will still have to be made to close the funding gap. We will need to consider radical solutions and not just look at back office functions.

"I believe in the interests of Nottinghamshire residents Councils should consider options such as:

- Harmonising bin collections for economies of scale- One organisation providing Trading Standards and Environmental Health services across the County- Housing provision to ensure it meets the needs of a growing elderly and disabled population- Whether Councils could merge."

"Every effort will be made to protect those who rely on Council services but all other spending will have to be seriously considered in both the shorter and longer term.

"I know I can rely on colleagues from all sides to help find the way through the current financial situation, which is not of this Council’s making, in the interests of the people we were all elected to serve.

"A further update report will be brought to Policy Committee in due course."

Here's what Ashfield District Council Leader Jason Zadrozny had to say on the matter.

"I am not surprised at all by this announcement but concerned that nearly £250,000 of public money has been spent on a needless process. I'm glad that she agrees with what I said right at the start of this process. I am today taking the regrettable step of calling for her resignation as leader of Nottinghamshire County Council. We all have a fiduciary duty to protect the public purse. Kay Cutts has failed to do this and now should admit liability and do the honourable thing and step aside. At a time when Council Finances are in such a parlous state - she decides to spend hundreds of thousands on a botched scheme.

"This is a personal vindication for our stance to protect services in Ashfield. Thousands of residents got in touch opposing these plans yet Kay Cutts ploughed ahead with this regardless. I am pleased for the residents of the Ashfield District who I promised I would fight tooth and nail to protect our Council. Councillor Cutts knew she would lose the vote and I am afraid she has lost the confidence of members from all parties. The only reason she has pulled this is to protect her job at the eleventh hour - just like Teresa May did on Brexit! I will be asking whoever is next leader of the County Council for an assurance that these proposals are scrapped forever."